PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- The Mets will juggle their rotation for the first week of the season, manager Jerry Manuel said Wednesday. It will be as follows: Johan Santana, John Maine, Jon Niese, Mike Pelfrey and Oliver Perez.

Manuel said he made the move because of how his starters match up against the Marlins. Mike Pelfrey, who will now start on April 9 against Washington, has a career 5.62 ERA against Florida. Maine, who will start April 6 against the Marlins, has a 3.12 ERA against them.

Pushing back Perez’s first start has more to do with how he has pitched in spring training than how he has pitched against the Marlins. After he gave up seven runs in 2 1/3 innings against the Cardinals Tuesday, Manuel said he might be going through a “dead arm period.”

Now, Perez will have some extra rest before he makes his season debut April 10 against the Nationals. Manuel said Perez will be available if needed in the bullpen early next week.

"It gives us a good chance to get off to a good start," Manuel said. "Each guy in telling them that, I basically said that each one of you are number one guys when it’s your turn. Don’t put too much into this and let’s see how this works out and we’ll go from there."

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Look for more roster cuts before the Mets depart for St. Petersburg Thursday. There are a number of decisions still to be made, particularly in the bullpen, though Manuel said some could go down to the last minute Sunday.

He dropped a hint about 20-year-old Jenrry Mejia, though. When asked if he envisioned any scenario in which Mejia does not make the team, Manuel said, "Do I see a way that he does not make the team? Not today."